「自分でつかむ」という学習姿勢をはぐくむ講義展開 : 分娩における援助技術獲得の過程における試み(第1報)

援助技術とは,ただ手順の総合体ではなく,対象への理解に基づいた働きかけでなければならない。また,技術とは実施者の成長に応じて熟達,変化しなければ技術とは言えないという側面を持っている。しかし,近年若者の学習や自己の役割の自覚に関する変化の中で,学生の主体性や積極性の不足が問題とされる事が多い。本学において助産学を受講する学生の姿勢にも,同様の問題を感じ,学習効果を得るだけでなく,援助者としての成長を促すきっかけとなることを期待して,「助産技術学I」において平成16年度より新たな講義展開を試みた。「助産技術学I」は分娩における援助技術を学習する科目であり,これまで教員の講義・演習を中心とした科目であったが,新たな講義計画では,ビデオや資料を手がかりに,グループによる自己学習を中心に,教員はその理解の確認と修正を行ないながら,学生の気づきを促し,学生各々の変化やグループの形成過程を見守る方法をとった。結果として,誤った理解や学習不足の学生は見られず,技術修得の状況も良好であった。また,何よりも大きな変化は,学生の学習姿勢に積極性が見られるようになった点であった。その変化が,我々が意図した人間的な成長に繋がるのかは,まだ評価の段階では無いと思うが,学生は「自分でつかむ」という姿勢の一端は体験できたように思う。ここに,新たな講義展開の状況と,学生の変化を報告し,今後の課題を明らかにしたい。The assisting technique should not be a simple combination of procedures but should be an activity based on understanding of objects. In addition, the technique has an aspect that it cannot be called a technique unless a performer of a technique reaches proficiency and the technique changes with his or her growth. Consciousness of young people about learning in schools and their own role in the society is recently changing, and as a result, lack of independence and active inquiring of students frequently becomes a subject of discussion. We found the identical problem in students learning midwifery in our university as well. Since April 2004, we consequently attempted to develop a new teaching plan in the lesson "conduct of labor I " expecting not only to obtain a high teaching effect but also to give an impetus to the students so that they would become persons eager to assist human. In our new education plan, students learned the lesson by themselves mainly through group studies using videotapes or available data as introductory tools. Teachers remained to help students by pointing out information and points of view that were unnoticed by them, and watched changes in individual students and in the process of group formation, while ascertaining and correcting what understood by the students

Comparison of postmenopausal endogenous sex hormones among Japanese, Japanese Brazilians, and non-Japanese Brazilians

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Differences in sex hormone levels among populations might contribute to the variation in breast cancer incidence across countries. Previous studies have shown higher breast cancer incidence and mortality among Japanese Brazilians than among Japanese. To clarify the difference in hormone levels among populations, we compared postmenopausal endogenous sex hormone levels among Japanese living in Japan, Japanese Brazilians living in the state of São Paulo, and non-Japanese Brazilians living in the state of São Paulo.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted using a control group of case-control studies in Nagano, Japan, and São Paulo, Brazil. Participants were postmenopausal women older than 55 years of age who provided blood samples. We measured estradiol, estrone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone and free testosterone by radioimmunoassay; bioavailable estradiol by the ammonium sulfate precipitation method; and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) by immunoradiometric assay. A total of 363 women were included for the present analyses, comprising 185 Japanese, 44 Japanese Brazilians and 134 non-Japanese Brazilians.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Japanese Brazilians had significantly higher levels of estradiol, bioavailable estradiol, estrone, testosterone and free testosterone levels, and lower SHBG levels, than Japanese. Japanese Brazilians also had significantly higher levels of bioavailable estradiol, estrone and DHEAS and lower levels of SHBG and androstenedione than non-Japanese Brazilians. Levels of estradiol, testosterone and free testosterone, however, did not differ between Japanese Brazilians and non-Japanese Brazilians. These differences were observed even after adjustment for known breast cancer risk factors. We also found an increase in estrogen and androgen levels with increasing body mass index, but no association for most of the other known risk factors.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We found higher levels of estrogens and androgens in Japanese Brazilians than in Japanese and levels similar to or higher than in non-Japanese Brazilians. Our findings may help explain the increase in the incidence and mortality rate of breast cancer among Japanese Brazilians.</p

Effects of Fermentable Sugar Derived from Bunashimeji Mushroom on Fermentation in Bread Processing

The addition of bunashimeji affected gas production in baker\u27s yeast. After 4 hours of incubation, total gas production increased about 1.8 times that of standard dough, and a few large holes and many small holes appeared on top of the dough containing bunashimeji after 6 hours of incubation. Gas production increased with increasing consumption of glucose in bunashimeji. The addition of bunashimeji to wheat flour increased production of low molecular weight sugar (fermentable sugar). Therefore, we concluded that adding bunashimeji to white bread dough provided nutrients as fermentable sugar for the yeast. This resulted in excessive initial production of gas forming holes upon exiting the dough, and reducing the volume of the dough as a result. Consequently, dough in which holes were formed on top was broken before oven baking, and loaf volume and specific loaf volume of the bread containing 5% bunashimeji was markedly decreased when an automatic bread baker was used

Dietary intake of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, genetic polymorphism of related enzymes, and risk of breast cancer: a case-control study in Brazilian women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several studies have determined that dietary intake of B vitamins may be associated with breast cancer risk as a result of interactions between <it>5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) </it>and <it>methionine synthase </it>(<it>MTR</it>) in the one-carbon metabolism pathway. However, the association between B vitamin intake and breast cancer risk in Brazilian women in particular has not yet been investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A case-control study was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, with 458 age-matched pairs of Brazilian women. Energy-adjusted intakes of folate, vitamin B₆, and vitamin B₁₂were derived from a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Genotyping was completed for <it>MTHFR </it>A1298C and C677T, and <it>MTR </it>A2756G polymorphisms. A logistical regression model was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neither dietary intake of folate, vitamin B₆, or vitamin B₁₂nor <it>MTHFR </it>polymorphisms were independently associated with breast cancer risk. Analysis stratified by menopausal status showed a significant association between placement in the highest tertile of folate intake and risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.23–3.83; <it>P</it>_{<it>trend </it>}= 0.010). The <it>MTR </it>2756GG genotype was associated with a higher risk of breast cancer than the 2756AA genotype (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.01–3.92; <it>P</it>_{<it>trend </it>}= 0.801), and statistically significant interactions with regard to risk were observed between the <it>MTHFR </it>A1298C polymorphism and folate (P = 0.024) or vitamin B₆(P = 0.043), and between the <it>MTHFR </it>C677T polymorphism and folate (P = 0.043) or vitamin B₁₂(P = 0.022).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>MTHFR </it>polymorphisms and dietary intake of folate, vitamin B₆, and vitamin B₁₂had no overall association with breast cancer risk. However, increased risk was observed in total women with the <it>MTR </it>2756GG genotype and in premenopausal women with high folate intake. These findings, as well as significant interactions between <it>MTHFR </it>polymorphisms and B vitamins, warrant further investigation.</p

Effects of Trehalose Solutions at Different Concentrations on High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise Performance

Trehalose solution ingested during exercise induces gradual increases in blood glucose levels and the insulin response compared with glucose solution. Trehalose solution aids in the maintenance of performance in the later stages of prolonged exercise. The purpose of this study was to identify the lowest concentration at which the properties of trehalose could be exploited. Groups of 12 healthy men (21.3 ± 1.3 years) and 10 healthy men (21.1 ± 0.7 years) with recreational training were included in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Both experiments followed the same protocol. After fasting for 12 h, the participants performed a 60 min constant-load exercise at 40% V˙O2 peak using a bicycle ergometer and ingested 500 mL of a trial drink (experiment 1: water, 8% glucose, and 6 or 8% trehalose; experiment 2: 4 or 6% trehalose). They performed four sets of the Wingate test combined with a 30 min constant-load exercise at 40% V˙O2 peak. The experiment was conducted using a randomized cross-over design; trial drink experiments were conducted over intervals of 7 to 12 days. The exercise performance was evaluated based on mean power in the Wingate test. Blood was collected from the fingertip at 12 points during each experiment to measure blood glucose levels. During the high-intensity 5 h intermittent exercise, no differences were found between the groups in exercise performance in the later stages with concentrations of 8, 6, and 4% trehalose solution. The results suggest that trehalose could be useful for making a new type of mixed carbohydrate solution. Further studies to determine the trehalose response of individual athletes during endurance exercise are needed

Overexpression of CSAP promotes the formation of centrosome-free MT asters on mitotic spindles.

<p><b>(A)</b> U2OS cells transiently expressing GFP-CSAP (a) or GFP-centrin (mitosis, b-d; interphase, e). Cells were stained for α-tubulin (Red) and DNA (Blue). GFP-CSAP localizes to centrosomes; cells overexpressing GFP-CSAP show multiple GFP foci on the mitotic spindles. Scale bar, 5 μm. Over-expression is indicated by the graph on the left side. <b>(B, C)</b> Proportion of U2OS <b>(B)</b> or HeLa cells <b>(C)</b> transiently expressing GFP-centrin or GFP-CSAP with the number of GFP foci on mitotic spindles. Data represent the mean ± SD of three experiments. <b>(D)</b> U2OS cells transiently expressing TrAP (a) or TrAP-CSAP (b, c). Cells were stained for α-tubulin (red), γ-tubulin (green), and DNA (blue). Microtubule asters with γ-tubulin (arrowheads) and without γ-tubulin (arrows) are indicated. <b>(E)</b> Proportion of U2OS cells transiently expressing TrAP or TrAP-CSAP with the number of γ-tubulin foci on mitotic spindles. Data represent the mean ± SD of three experiments. <b>(F)</b> U2OS cells transiently expressing GFP-CSAP. The cells were stained forα-tubulin (red), γ-tubulin (green), and DNA (blue). Microtubule asters with γ-tubulin (arrowheads) and without γ-tubulin (arrows) are indicated. <b>(G)</b> Proportion of U2OS cells transiently expressing GFP-CSAP with the number of GFP-CSAP foci vs. γ-tubulin foci on mitotic spindles. <b>(H, I)</b> Comparison of α-tubulin <b>(H)</b> and γ-tubulin <b>(I)</b> on mitotic spindles in cells transiently expressing control (blue) or TrAP-CSAP (red). In <b>(I)</b>, two types of γ-tubulin foci at centrosomes and centrosome-free MT asters are separately shown. Data represent the mean ± SD relative intensity. *** indicates p < 0.005 (n = ~40).</p

Increasing NuMA and polyglutamylation on mitotic spindles containing centrosome-free MT asters.

<p><b>(A, D)</b> Mitotic U2OS cells transiently expressing control (a) and TrAP-CSAP (b). Cells were stained for α-tubulin (Red), DNA (Blue), and NuMA (Green). <b>(B)</b> Mitotic U2OS cells transiently expressing GFP-CSAP (<b>A</b>; Green) or polyglutamylation (<b>D</b>). Cells were stained for NuMA (Red), α-tubulin (White), and DNA (Blue). <b>(C)</b> Mitotic U2OS cells transiently expressing GFP-CSAP (Green). Cells were stained for polyglutamylation (Red), CDK5RAP2 (White), and DNA (Blue). Scale bar, 5 μm. <b>(E, F)</b> Comparison of NuMA <b>(E)</b> and polyglutamylation <b>(F)</b> on mitotic spindles in cells transiently expressing control (blue) or TrAP-CSAP (red). <b>(G, H)</b> Comparison of α-tubulin vs. NuMA <b>(G)</b> or polyglutamylation <b>(H)</b> on the spindles around the centrosomes in transiently expressing control (blue) or on centrosome-free MT asters in cells transiently expressing TrAP-CSAP (red). Data represent the mean ± SD relative intensity. *** indicates p < 0.005 (n = ~30).</p

Time-lapse analysis of CSAP-overexpressing cells during mitosis.

<p>Panels summarize time-lapse recordings of control U2OS <b>(A, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0142798#pone.0142798.s001" target="_blank">S1 Movie</a>)</b> and TrAP-CSAP-overexpressing cells <b>(B, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0142798#pone.0142798.s002" target="_blank">S2 Movie</a>)</b> expressing GFP–α-tubulin (upper) and H2B-mRFP (lower). Times are minutes after NEBD (0’).</p

Pericentrosomal material composition of centrosome-free MT asters.

<p><b>(A, C)</b> Mitotic U2OS cells transiently expressing control (a) and TrAP-CSAP (b). Cells were stained for α-tubulin (Red), DNA (Blue), and CDK5RAP2 (<b>A</b>; Green) or Aurora A (<b>C</b>; Green). <b>(B, D, E)</b> Mitotic U2OS cells transiently expressing GFP-CSAP (Green). Cells were stained for α-tubulin (White), DNA (Blue), and CDK5RAP2 (<b>B</b>; Red), Aurora A (<b>D</b>; Red), or pericentrin (<b>E</b>; Red). <b>(F)</b> Mitotic U2OS cells transiently expressing control (a) and TrAP-CSAP (b). The cells were stained for γ-tubulin (Red), DNA (Blue), and Aurora A. Scale bar, 5 μm. <b>(G, H)</b> Comparison of CDK5RAP2 <b>(G)</b> and Aurora A <b>(H)</b> at mitotic spindle poles in cells transiently expressing control (blue) or TrAP-CSAP (red). In <b>(H)</b>, two types of Aurora A foci at centrosomes and centrosome-free MT asters are separately shown. Data represent the mean ± SD relative intensity. *** indicates p < 0.005 (n = ~30).</p